*Profootballreference.com was the main source in researching this article.*
Although the 2012 Ravens just paraded down Pratt street into M&T Bank Stadium, in today’s NFL, it’s never too early to look ahead to next year. The way the Ravens are built sets them up for success each year by not having to undergo a drastic overhaul.
What will Ravens football be without Ray Lewis? Will the Ravens win a third consecutive AFC North title? Will Joe Flacco make his first Pro Bowl?
Here’s one that may not have crossed your mind: how will the Ravens perform in home games against Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson? How will they perform in road games against Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall?
While the 2013 NFL Draft, mini-camps and numerous key evaluations have yet to happen, let’s take a look at what might be the outcome of the Ravens’ 2013 season.
THE DIVISION
Courtesy: The Boston Globe
CINCINNATI BENGALS
All-time record against
19-15 (12-5 home, 7-10 away)
All-time score
749-589 Ravens
Most recent meeting
Week 17, 2012 season (23-17 loss at Cincinnati)
Prediction
Home: Ravens 27, Bengals 23
Road: Ravens 20, Bengals 19
Even though they’ve lost two straight Wild Card Round playoff games, the Bengals have a lot of young talent that has developed quickly.
Offensively they have a physical running game and a versatile passing game. They have two dynamic wide receivers in A.J. Green and Andrew Hawkins. Green is already an elite receiver and Hawkins is Cincinnati’s version of Darren Sproles, who is as elusive a player as there is in this league.
The core of the Ravens, despite any misconceptions, is quite young. Even counting Ed Reed, which due to contractual reasons may not be in Baltimore next year, their core players (Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, Lardarius Webb, Torrey Smith, Ray Rice, Joe Flacco, Marshal Yanda and others) average an age in the mid-20’s.
The only major roadblock in the Bengals’ way of overtaking Baltimore in the AFC North in the future is if their coordinators get a coaching job for another team. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden are sharp, driven coaches who may not be with the Bengals for much longer.
Courtesy: USA Today
CLEVELAND BROWNS
All-time record against
21-7 (11-3 home, 10-4 away)
All-time score
650-394 Ravens
Most recent meeting
Week 9, 2012 season (Win at Cleveland, 25-15)
Prediction
Home: Ravens 41, Browns 13
Road: Ravens 23, Browns 16
The Ravens have won the last 10 games in this series. In that span, Cleveland has scored more than 17 points just once.
While the Browns had a strong defense in 2011 (10th overall), their 2012 defense finished the year ranked 23rd. Not only that, but their offense finished ranked 25th overall.
Cleveland doesn’t have bad players so much as their division is as tough as any in football. Last season, three (the maximum) teams made the playoffs from the AFC North. This year, the usually postseason-bound Steelers couldn’t make the cut, but Baltimore and Cincy both earned berths.
For Cleveland to turn their luck around, they’ll need to win in their division. More specifically, they’ll need to win against Baltimore, something they haven’t done since November 18, 2007.
Courtesy: NY Daily News
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
All-time record against
15-19 (8-9 home, 7-10 away)
All-time score against
636-659
Most recent meeting
Week 13, 2012 season (Loss in Baltimore, 23-20)
Prediction
Home: Ravens 23, Steelers 17
Road: Ravens 21, Steelers 20
Seven of the last nine games in this series have been decided by three points or less, including playoff games. The Ravens are 4-3 in those games.
This is the easiest opponent to predict in terms of roughly how many points will separate the victor and the looser and they are probably the toughest opponent the Ravens will face next year.
Of the 272 games the Ravens have played, 34 of them (12.5 percent) have been against the Steelers, which is the most games they’ve ever played against one team.
While the core of the Ravens is fairly youthful, the core of the Steelers is getting older. Of course, that could change in the draft depending on which, if any, players that Pittsburgh drafts makes an impact.
The last five Ravens wins have been by an average of 8.0 points per game. The last five Steelers wins have been by an average of 5.0 points per game.
Expect the Ravens to at least split the season series, if not sweep it. Either way, it should surprise you if either contest ends up being more than a one-score game.
